Welsh Music Foundation

Introduction
The Dan y Cownter series was created in response to research commissioned by both Welsh Music Foundation and S4C into the awareness of Welsh language music amongst young people in Wales. The principal conclusion was a lack of knowledge of artists, events and activity associated with Welsh music, especially outside the areas where the majority of events occur. However this was not due to a negative perception of the music itself, since when examples were played during the focus groups the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Many respondents argued that not enough had been done to make them aware of the music and if better marketed they would develop further interest in many of the artists featured in the research. As a result Welsh Music Foundation approached the Welsh Language Board with the idea of creating a CD which would be distributed free throughout Wales amongst the core potential audience for contemporary Welsh language music. Unfortunately all copies of Dan y Cownter 1 and 2 have now been distributed!

Dan y Cownter

The first CD, labelled ‘Dan y Cownter’, was launched on the 2nd of June 2005 at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff. Featuring 10 new and exciting Welsh artists ranging from hip hop to pop, from indie to folk it provided a snapshot of the state of play within the contemporary Welsh language music scene in 2005. Accompanying the CD was a 16 page booklet detailing businesses and organisations working within the Welsh music industry, including record labels, festivals, gigs websites and fanzines. Ten thousand copies of the CD were produced, and they were distributed by the Welsh language Board and its partner organisations in the months following the launch.

TRACKLISTING
1) Brigyn - Sonar (Gwynfryn Cymunedol)
2) Cofi Bach & Tew Shady - Triwch Hi Ar Menai (Recordiau Menai)
3) Ashokan - Dim Coes, Dim Brec (Dockrad)
4) Alun Tan Lan - Cân Beic Dau (Rasal)
5) Poppies - Sex Sells (Ciwdod)
6) Texas Radio Band - Chwaraeon (Recordiau Slacyr)
7) Frizbee - Ti (Si Hei Lw) (Recordiau Cosh)
8) Pep Le Pew - Cwffio, Caru a Magu (Recordiau Slacyr)
9) Winabego - Unarddeg Dyn i Lawr (Rasal)
10) Jakokoyak - Murmur (Peski)


Dan y Cownter Live

As part of the promotional campaign for the Dan y Cownter CD a gig was held in the Barfly in London in early 2006 as a means to raise the awareness of the music industry to the quality of the music currently being produced in Wales. Playing on the night were The Poppies, Jakokoyak and Alun Tan Lan, three of the artists featured on the CD. The event itself was well attended and as a result of their involvement with the CD both The Poppies and Jakokoyak received sessions on Radio 1.

Dan y Cownter 2

Following the positive reaction received by the first Dan y Cownter CD it was decided that a follow up should be produced to build on the awareness created of Welsh language artists amongst its core potential audience. Ten new artists were chosen, each of which were from a different Welsh language record label. The booklet was expanded from 16 to 24 pages, a positive indication of the growth in activity taking place within the Welsh music industry. This time the CD, Dan y Cownter 2, was launched at the National Eisteddfod which was held in Swansea in early August 2006. Once again ten thousand copies of the CD were produced and distributed by the Welsh Language Board and its partner organisations throughout Wales. Since there was a positive reaction to the original CD a noticeable increase in enquiries was evident when promoting the second version. Once again it was shown that there is genuine interest in contemporary Welsh language music, and through the distribution of this CD all the featured artists have noted an increase in the number of CDs sold.

TRACKLISTING
1) Radio Luxembourg - Pwer y Fflwer (Ciwdod)
2) Swci Boscawen - Adar y Nefoedd (Rasp)
3) Mim Twm Llai - Rhosyn Rhwng fy Nannedd (Crai)
4) Genod Droog - Breuddwyd Oer (Slacyr)
5) Stiches - Dan Dô (Peski)
6) Richard James - Tir a Môr (Boobytrap)
7) Sibrydion - Blithdraphlith (Rasal)
8) Y Diwygiad - Mewn Can Mlynedd (Skippin Beats)
9) Ryan Kift - Gola Ola
10) Acid Casuals - Y Ferch ar y Cei yn Rio (Placid Casual)

National Eisteddfod Stall
To coincide with the launch of the second CD WMF decided to co-ordinate a stall for independent Welsh language record labels at the National Eisteddfod under the Dan y Cownter banner. The Eisteddfod is one of the most important weeks of the year for the Welsh language music industry but many of the smaller labels cannot afford a space at the event due to the costs involved. As such by providing a single space for over 12 Welsh labels at the event they were able to promote their new releases to the Eisteddfod’s average daily audience of over 20,000 people and increase the awareness of the artists at one of the principal Welsh cultural activities of the year.